Chrysler Will Skip Summer Shutdowns at Four Plants to Keep Up With Strong Demand

From a recent Bloomberg report:"Stronger demand for automobiles bolstered U.S. manufacturing, which grew in April at the fastest pace in almost a year, according to Institute for Supply Management. The group’s factory index climbed to 54.8 last month, the best reading since June. Chrysler Group LLC, the biggest gainer of U.S. market share through April, said four plants will skip normally scheduled two-week midyear shutdowns to meet increased demand. Factories in Belvidere, Illinois; Toluca, Mexico; and Detroit, and a parts factory in Toledo, Ohio, will stay open, the company said May 2 in a statement on its website. Two more plants will shut for one week instead of two, according to Auburn Hills, Michigan-based Chrysler. “We need to build a few more vehicles, so they’re staying open,” said Jodi Tinson, a company spokeswoman."

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Manufacturing in the Philadelphia region expanded more than forecast in July, the latest sign of an improving outlook for the industry after a slowdown earlier this year.
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s general economic index increased to 19.8, the highest level since March 2011, from 12.5 the prior month. Readings greater than zero signal expansion in the area, which covers eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware. The median forecast of 57 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for a reading of 8.

(WASHINGTON) — US factory activity expanded last month at the fastest pace in 2 ½ years, an encouraging sign that manufacturing could lift economic growth and hiring in the coming months. The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing managers, said Tuesday that its manufacturing index rose in September to 56.2, the highest since April 2011. That’s up from 55.7 in August and the fourth straight increase in the index. A reading above 50 indicates growth. Manufacturers added jobs last month at the fastest pace in more than a year and ramped up production.

(WASHINGTON) — US factory activity expanded last month at the fastest pace in 2 ½ years, an encouraging sign that manufacturing could lift economic growth and hiring in the coming months. The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing managers, said Tuesday that its manufacturing index rose in September to 56.2, the highest since April 2011. That’s up from 55.7 in August and the fourth straight increase in the index. A reading above 50 indicates growth. Manufacturers added jobs last month at the fastest pace in more than a year and ramped up production.

Fiat SpA, the Italian carmaker that’s buying U.S. auto producer Chrysler Group LLC, will keep Sergio Marchionne as chief executive officer at least three more years to push company growth, Chairman John Elkann said.
A new business plan for the period will be presented in May, and “there is no doubt” that Marchionne will carry it out, Elkann said today at a briefing at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. “The future will be open,” after that, though Fiat and Chrysler together offer a good “bench” of eventual successors to the CEO, Elkann said.

MEXICO CITY, June 26 (Reuters) - General Motors Co outlined plans on Wednesday for investing $691 million to expand its Mexican operations, including the previously unannounced expansion of its Toluca engine plant.

(WASHINGTON) — U.S. factories expanded last month at the fastest pace since June 2011 on a jump in orders. The report signals that manufacturing output could strengthen in coming months. The Institute for Supply Management says its manufacturing index rose to 55.7 in August from 55.4 in July. That topped the index’s 12-month average of 52. A reading above 50 indicates growth. The ISM is a trade group of purchasing managers. A gauge of new orders rose nearly five points to 63.2, the highest level in more than two years. Production increased but more slowly than in the previous month.